West Ham United and Santa Clara Sporting have been working on this relationship for a number of years; spearheaded by Ralf Cebrian, Carlos Brasil and Tino Silva from Sporting. West Ham United has recognized Santa Clara Sporting as one of the oldest and most successful competitive youth soccer organisations in the United States. With over 450 players on 30 teams from under-9 to under-18, Santa Clara Sporting continues to have a major impact on the local, district, regional and national soccer scenes. Club director, Carlos Brasil has already been a visitor to West Ham United’s Academy and looks forward to a prosperous partnership between the two clubs.

Tony Carr, West Ham United's Academy Director was recently interviewed in The Wall Street Journal about the growing interest by some of the top European professional soccer teams coming to America to look for talent.

Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images for The Wall Street Journal
West Ham United's Tony Carr (center) observes a tryout for their Academy Program.